DETROIT, March 19, 1999 - Whether it's another big winter blizzard, or an ozone action day in the summer, the Detroit Police Department will soon be better prepared to "protect and serve" the citizens of the city, and the air they breathe.

Ford Motor Company today delivered two clean-burning natural gas-powered Expedition sport utility vehicles (SUVs) to the Detroit Police Department (DPD). The event was held in connection with an "Environmental Crimes Awareness" training program by the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The two SUVs are part of a 50 vehicle fleet of natural gas-powered Expeditions being delivered to law enforcement and other organizations across the nation. Through this three year demonstration program, Ford intends to build customer interest for natural gas sport utility vehicles and determine if they should be put into production.

"We've selected fleet customers like the Detroit Police Department to participate in this program because we know they will run the vehicles hard," said Mike McCabe, Ford's Alternative Fuel Vehicle worldwide marketing manager. "These vehicles are the toughest, cleanest, and safest sport utility vehicles on the market."

Ford's natural gas Expedition is the first SUV to meet California's Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) standard - the strictest in the nation - emitting 85 percent fewer smog-forming hydrocarbon emissions than the permitted level in California for 1999. ....

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